NwOESC Recaps February Meeting

The following actions were taken by the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center Governing Board at their organizational and regular meeting held February 28, 2017.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Vice President Brian Baker. All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance. A time for public comment on the retirement/reemployment of Ann Lamb was held from 6:50 – 7:00 pm.

The following items were approved under the consent agenda format:

•Approved Financial Transactions

– Four County Career Center to provide to NwOESC, 21st Century (Archbold MS), College and Career Readiness and Youth Mentoring Services for the period of 1/1/17-6/30/17.

– NwOESC to provide to Eastwood Local Schools, Visual Impairment (VI) Services for the period of 8/15/17-6/15/18.

– NwOESC to provide to Elmwood Local Schools, Visual Impairment (VI) Services for the period of 8/15/17-6/15/18.

– NwOESC to provide to Lake Local Schools, Visual Impairment (VI) Services for the period of 8/15/17-6/15/18.

– NwOESC to provide to Edon Northwest Local Schools, Superintendent Search Services for the period of 1/26/17-position is finalized or until agreed upon by both parties to terminate services.

– NwOESC to provide to Wauseon Exempted Village Schools, Afterschool Program Services for the period of 1/1/17-6/30/17.

– To approve Annual Service Agreements with the following districts for the 2017-18 school year per R.C. 3313.845:
• Archbold Area Local Schools
• Ayersville Local Schools
• Central Local Schools
• Edon Northwest Local Schools
• Fayette Local Schools
• Hicksville Exempted Village Schools
• Liberty Center Local Schools
• Montpelier Exempted Village Schools

•Approved the payment of an invoice to Liberty Center Local Schools for the first half expenses related to the Liberty Education Center requiring Board approval since a requisition was not submitted and encumbered prior to the incurrence of costs per board policy 6320 (then and now certification).
•Approved an agreement with the Ohio Attorney General to identify the terms, conditions, duties, and responsibilities of each party regarding the National WebCheck program and equipment and to ensure that the information received from the Attorney General is used appropriately.
•Approved the removal of Personnel Coordinator I and Personnel Coordinator II from the 2017-2018 salary schedule and the creation of Personnel Coordinator on said schedule with placement at Grade 6. (Personnel Coordinator I is at Grade 7 and Personnel Coordinator II is at Grade 5)

REPORTS
OSBA LEGISLATIVE LIAISON: Mr. Brian Baker shared information on several legislative items in consideration. This week, the Senate passed SB9, which would create a three-day sales tax holiday in August 2017. The Senate Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on SB36 that would make changes to the current agricultural use valuation (CAUV) tax. The Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee heard sponsor testimony on SB54. This bill would require districts to allow approved summer food program sponsors to use school facilities to provide food service for summer intervention services. Mr. Baker represented the area last month in Washington DC, as part of his work with OSBA’s Federal Relations Network. The Federal Relations Network has developed into a successful communications network designed to build close local board member contact with each member of Congress and to keep the elected representatives informed about the school board perspective on American public education.

SUPERINTENDENT: Ms. Kerri Gearhart shared about recent administrative searches underway in Edon and North Central. An area group, the Four County Suicide Prevention Coalition, continues to work to educate staff and students in school districts about the signs of suicide and how to access help. Upcoming facility building projects were reviewed.

CFO/TREASURER: Mr. Homer Hendricks provided an update on Business office staffing. Nicole Blackwood recently joined the department as a personnel coordinator. The auditors are wrapping up the annual audit this week and the report should be finalized soon. Fiscal year 2018 estimates and service contracts were distributed to districts recently, with several filtering back in recently. 2017-18 school calendars are being collected and will be used in developing contracts, salary notification, and staff work calendars. Evaluation of a potential software change to eFinancePlus by SunGard is underway. Ohio Ethics filing is due by May 15, 2017.

DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION: Mrs. Jill Gilliland reported that work is underway in wrapping up 2016-17 and planning ahead for 2017-18 with programming and staffing.

DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM, INSTRUCTION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Mrs. Kris Dobbelaere shared information on gifted services and professional development planning for 2017-18. The annual Franklin B. Walter Celebration is set for Monday, March 13th, honoring area educators and students. NwOESC professional development offerings in Mrs. Dobbelaere’s department have reached multiple administrators, teachers, and students this year, with a total of 2531 attendees since August 2016.

•As all of the business of the evening was complete, the meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm. The next regular meeting of the board will be held at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at the NwOESC office located at 205 Nolan Parkway, Archbold, OH.